Facial mask



Feb. 22, 1938. w. G. THURBER FACIAL. MASK Filed June ll, 1955 Jn'uen or W Tk Lw er Patented Feb. 22, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFiCE Application .lune 11,

2 Claims.

This invention relates to apparatus and means ior treatment of disorders in the head, facial conditions and the like.

An object of this invention is to provide a means in the form of a mask which may be conveniently applied to the face and head of an individual and which includes means whereby the entire device may be heated so as to place the portions of the head covered by the mask under a predetermined temperature for treatment of the skin or infected portions of the head.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device of this character which is so constructed that it may be applied to the head of an individual in either an upright or reclining position and which also includes means whereby medicated vapors may be inhaled by the wearer of the device during the time that the mask is applied to the head.

A further object of this'invention is to provide a device of this kind which, when in applied position, and used as an inhaler will permit the inhalation of medicated vapors and the exhalation to the atmosphere of the air so that D the impure air exhaled by the lungs will not contaminate the medicated vapors inhaled through the device.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a device of this character which may be 0 usedin beauty treatments or the like, that is for treatment of the skin and which is so constructed that substantially the entire face may be covered up without impairing the breathing of the wearer.

Still another object of this invention is to provide in a device of this kind, means whereby the wearer may inhale medicated vapors in either one or both of the nostrils.

A further object of this invention is toprovide a device of this character which is so constructed that the heat applied to the device will volatilize a medicated compound so that heated vapors of a medicated composition will be drawn into one or the other or both of the nostrils for,I treatment of the respiratory tract.

The above and various other objects and advantages of this invention will in part be described in, and in part be understood from the following detail description of the present preferred embodiment, the same being illustrated in the accompanying drawing wherein:-

Figure 1 is a longitudinal section partly broken away of a device constructed according to an embodiment of this invention.

1935, Serial No. 26,058

(Cl. 12S-164) Figure 2 is a rear elevation of the air controlling means.

Figure 3 is a section taken on the line 3--3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a section taken on the line 4 4 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a section taken on the line 5 5 of Figure 3.

Referring to the drawing wherein like numerals of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, the numeral Ill designates generally a mask which is adapted to substantially cover the entirey face and, if desired, may be of a size to cover a considerable portion, if not all of the head of the wearer. This mask lll may be either of a flexible or a relatively rigid construction and is provided with a plurality of resistance wires I I which are embedded in the mask body IU and adapted to be connected to a suitable source of electric current supply for the purpose of electrically heating the structure of the mask.

This mask I0 has a nasal chamber I3, provided with an opening I2, and in this opening I2 a shutter structure, generally designated as I4, is positioned. This shutter structure comprises a frame I5 provided with guides I 5 in which a pair of shutters or valve members Il are slidably mounted, These valve members il have pivotal connection, as at I8, with the guides I6 and preferably the shutters ll are adapted to be disposed in one of two positions.

In one or the outermost or lower position, the shutters are adapted to rock in a movement toward or away from the nasal chamber I3, and in any position except the innermost position, the

shutters I'i are locke-d against rocking movement by means of locking members I9 provided in the guides I6, adjacent the outer portion thereof. When the shutters I'I are in their outermost position, the wearer of the device may freely inhale or exhale through the mask.

When the shuttersI I 'I are in their outermost 0r lower position, the person may only exhale through the frame I 4 and inhalation is had through an intake pipe 20 which opens into the nasal chamber I3 and extends along the lower portion of the mask I0. The lower or outer end of the inhaling pipe or pipes 2G has a flexible tube 2l connected thereto and this exible intake pipe 2l is connected to an outlet pipe 22 carried by a vaporizing member 23. The vaporizing member 23 comprises a container or receptacle 24 adapted to receive a volatile fluid and an air inlet pipe 25 is carried by the receptacle 20 and opens into the atmosphere so that air may be freely drawn through the pipes 2U and 2| with the air passing through the volatile iiuid carried by the receptacle 24. The mask I has a pair of spaced apart ears or lugs 26 provided with openings in which pins 2'I carried by the receptacle 24 are adapted to engage. As the incoming air containing the medicated vapor passes through the pipe 20, this incoming vapor or medicated air is heated by the mask so that the air inhaled in the nasal chamber will be of a predetermined temperature in addition to being Vaporized from the receptacle 24.

Free inhalation and exhalation may be had through the frame I5 from one or both sides of the nostril by moving one or both of the shutters Il upwardly. The shutters I 'I will be held in their uppermost or inoperative position by the frictional engagement of the guides I6 with the trunnions I8.

Preferably, the shutter frame is disposed at an angle relative to the vertical when the person is in a reclining position so that the shutters or valve members I1 will gravitatingly swing to a closed position. The frame I5 has cushioning members 28 against which the shutters IS engage when in closed position so that there will not be any noise in the closing of the shutters during the inhaling operation.

Where the device hereinbefore described is used in an upright position by the wearer, springs or like means may be provided to normally swing the shutters or valve members I1 to a closed position.

In the use of this device, the body I0 may be applied to and secured to the head of the wearer, preferably about the face, and partially about the side of the head and face with the resistance means II connected to a suitable source of electric current supply. Where the device is merely used for facial treatments or the like, the shutters Il may be moved to their outermost position where they are locked against swinging movement and in which position the nasal chamber I3 is open to the atmosphere. The wearer of the device may then freely inhale and exhale through the frame I5 and the opening I2 in the frame.

In the event, however, that it is desired to use this device for treatment of the respiratory tract, either one or both of the shutters or valves I1 may be moved to their innermost position in which position these shutters or valves I 'I will gravitatingly swing to closed position but will be moved to open position by exhaling into the nasal chamber I3. The receptacle 24 may be attached to the lugs 25 and the pipes 2l] connected to the pipes 22 by means of flexible pipe connections 2|. In this manner, the person wearing the device will inhale medicated vapors by reason of the fact that substantially all air drawn into the nasal chamber must first pass through the receptacle 24 and by reason of the fact that this receptacle is partly heated in order to vaporize the volatile liquid disposed therein. It will be apparent from the foregoing that an exceedingly simple device has been constructed for use in treatment of head disorders or disorders of the respiratory tract, in addition to treatment of the exterior surface of certain portions of the head, particularly the face.

Where this device is applied to the face of a patient, a sanitary protector in the form of a relatively fiexible parchment sheet is first placed upon the face of the patient in order that the medicated vapors will not contact directly with the face of the patient. It will also be understood that the parchment protector may be omitted and an absorbent and medicated pack used in place thereof so that the heat from the mask will draw out the medicinal compound of the pack or treatment of the skin.

The shutters II may be locked in their innermost position, as shown in Figure 2, by means of locking members Ia.

1. An inhaling means comprising a member adapted to engage over the face of an individual and provided with a nasal chamber, a frame carried by said chamber, said frame including a plate, pairs of guide members secured to said plate and extending below one edge thereof, that portion of the guide members below said plate dening a pair of openings providing communicationl between said chamber and the atmosphere, a pair of flap valves disposed one between each pair of guide members, trunnions carried by said valves and engaging said guide members to slidably and swingably support said valves Within said frame, said plate holding said valves against swinging movement when said valves are raised within said guide members to an inoperative position behind said plate, into said chamber and means for discharging a vapor.

2. An inhaling means comprising a membei adapted to engage over the face of an individual and provided with a nasal chamber, a frame carried by said chamber, said frame including a plate, pairs of guide members secured to said plate and extending below one edge thereof, that portion of the guide members below said plate dening a pair of openings providing communication between said chamber and the atmosphere, a pair of ilap valves disposed one between each pair of guide members, trunnions carried by said valves and engaging said guide members to slidably and swingably support said valves within said frame, said plate holding said valves against swinging movement when said valves are raised within said guide members to an inoperative position behind said plate, and means carried by said frame for locking a selected valve against swinging movement when disposed in operative position.

WILLIAM GRANT THURBER. 

